Chefs and caterers in the United Arab Emirates: Websta profile

What to include on your Websta profile

Your profile page should open with a clear headline about the type of catering or chef work you do - whether that is private event catering, corporate lunches, fine dining, home cooking, or other specializations. Add a short description of who you are and what makes your work worth hiring.

Include photos of your food and your work. Customers in the UAE look for visual proof of quality before they contact you, so upload at least five to ten images of completed dishes, plated meals, or events you have catered. Show the style and standard of your cooking.

Create a services list. Examples might include: wedding catering, corporate event catering, private chef hire, meal preparation for delivery, cooking classes, or themed dinner parties. You set the name and description of each service. For each one, write a short explanation of what it covers and let customers know whether they should book directly or request a quote first.

Decide whether customers can book you online or should submit a quote request. Many chefs and caterers in the UAE use the quote request option because each event is different and pricing depends on guest count, menu, location, and date. You can then message the customer directly to discuss their needs and send a price.

Publish your profile in the languages your customers speak. Arabic and English are widely used in the UAE, and some customers may prefer one or the other. You can create your profile in both languages.

How customers search for chefs and caterers on Websta

People in the United Arab Emirates use Websta to find services by searching for what they need - such as 'catering' or 'private chef' - and their location, whether that is a specific city or a wider area. They browse results, check profiles, look at photos, and then either book directly through the platform or send you a quote request through a contact form.

Some customers post a task describing what they want - for example, 'catering for 50 people in Dubai next month' - and providers can make offers. This is useful if you want to respond to specific requests and show your interest in particular jobs.

Customers can reach you through the contact form on your profile, and you receive messages directly so you can discuss details and agree terms.

Legal and business setup in the United Arab Emirates

The rules for working as a chef or caterer in the UAE vary by emirate and by the type of work you do. If you work from a commercial kitchen, you will need a food service license and health clearance from local health authorities. If you are a private chef cooking in clients' homes, check with your emirate's municipality what permissions you need.

You should verify your legal business status with your local municipality or chamber of commerce. Requirements may differ between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates, so check with the authority in your area.

When you set up payments through Websta, you will need a bank account and an active Stripe account so that customer payments go straight to your account. You handle your own invoicing, tax reporting, and business records.

What to write in your first hour

Start by writing a headline and two or three sentences about who you are. Mention the type of catering or chef work you do - for example, 'I am a chef offering corporate catering and private event menus across the UAE' or 'I prepare fresh, healthy meals for home delivery in Dubai and Sharjah'. Keep it straightforward.

Add three to five services to your profile. For each one, write a simple name and a one or two-sentence description. You do not need to write a lot - customers will ask questions through the contact form.

Upload at least three good photos of your food. These do not need to be professional photos, but they should show the standard of your cooking clearly.

Write a short 'about me' section if the platform asks for one. Say how long you have been cooking, any training you have, and what your cooking approach is - for example, 'Ten years' experience in Middle Eastern and international catering' or 'I focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and custom menus for each event'.

Booking and quote requests

Many chefs and caterers use the quote request system because every event is different. A customer fills in a form saying how many people they need catering for, what type of event, their budget, and preferred dates. You then message them to discuss the menu, dietary needs, location, setup, and other details, and send a price.

If you offer simpler services - such as regular meal prep or cooking classes - you might enable direct online booking with a fixed price per session.

You can switch between these two methods at any time as your business grows and you understand what works best for you.

Building your profile over time

Your first profile does not need to be complete. Add more services, photos, and information as you have time. The more complete your profile is, the more professional it looks to customers.

Keep your photos and service list up to date. If you add a new specialty or if you work in a new area, update your profile so customers see your current offer.

Respond quickly to quote requests and messages. Customers are more likely to book you if you answer them within a few hours.